MTR Corporation welcomes Government's decision on Shatin to ...

PR027/08
11 March 2008
<strong>MTR</strong> <strong>Corporation</strong> <strong>welcomes</strong> Government’s <strong>decision</strong> on
Shatin to Central Link and Kwun Tong Line Extension
The <strong>MTR</strong> <strong>Corporation</strong> <strong>welcomes</strong> the Government’s <strong>decision</strong> for the
<strong>Corporation</strong> to proceed with further planning and design for the
Shatin to Central Link and the Kwun Tong Line Extension to Whampoa.
“The Shatin to Central Link and the Kwun Tong Line Extension will
mark an important milestone for railway services in Hong Kong.
These two railway lines, with a combined length of 20 km, will
benefit not only the residents in the areas along the alignments,
they will also add to our existing network providing more convenient
rail services to the people of Hong Kong, ” said Mr C K Chow, Chief
Executive Officer of the <strong>MTR</strong> <strong>Corporation</strong>.
The Shatin to Central Link and the Kwun Tong Line Extension are
expected to provide 12,000 employment opportunities during
construction.
Shatin to Central Link
The 17-km Shatin to Central Link will have two components.
Firstly, the section from Tai Wai to Hung Hom is an 11-km extension
of the Ma On Shan Line. It will extend from Tai Wai Station, through
Diamond Hill, Kai Tak, To Kwa Wan, Ma Tau Wai, Ho Man Tin connecting
to the West Rail Line at the Hung Hom Station to form the east-west
rail corridor. Secondly, the cross harbour section, a 6-km
extension from the Hung Hom Station of the East Rail Line, will
be extended across the harbour to the new stations at Exhibition
and Admiralty and form the north-south corridor. To meet the
operational requirements of the new rail service, there will be
a train depot at Diamond Hill.
The construction of the section from Tai Wai to Hung Hom is expected
to commence in 2010 for completion in 2015, while the section from
Hung Hom to Admiralty is expected to complete in 2019.
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With the new rail lines in service, the rail journey time from Tai
Wai to Admiralty will be reduced from the existing 29 minutes to
17 minutes. It will also alleviate road traffic congestion in the
existing developed areas, leading to better air quality. In terms
of saving in travel time, the Shatin to Central Link is expected
to bring an annual transport benefit of HK$4.1 billion in year 2021.
Media enquiries:
Ms Maggie So
Senior Manager – Projects &
Property Communications
Tel: 2993 2166
Mr Lam Chan
Public Relations Manager –
Projects
& Property
Tel: 2993 2929
24-hour media
enquiries
Tel: 2212 2813

The new rail line will serve 300,000 residential and 283,000
employment populations. It will also form an important component
of the Kai Tak Development with a public transport service not only
for the proposed new commercial and residential developments, but
also the Multi-Purpose Stadium Complex and other leisure facilities
planned for Kai Tak. It will rejuvenate the To Kwa Wan and Kowloon
City areas.
The HKSAR Government has decided to adopt the Concession Approach
to provide funding for the capital cost of the Shatin to Central
Link, which is estimated at HK$37.4 billion. Upon completion of
its construction, the <strong>Corporation</strong> will operate the rail lines under
the existing service concession agreement which includes
concession payments to the Government. Whilst the <strong>Corporation</strong>
starts preparation for the further planning, it will continue to
discuss the detailed arrangements of the project with the
Government.
Kwun Tong Line Extension
The Kwun Tong Line Extension will extend from Yau Ma Tei Station
of the existing Kwun Tong Line, via Ho Man Tin station which
interconnects with the Shatin to Central Link to Whampoa. The 3-km
extension, expected to be completed in 2015, will serve 146,000
residents in the Whampoa and Hung Hom areas. The Kwun Tong Line
Extension is expected to bring an annual transport benefit of HK$0.4
billion in year 2016.
As an extension of the existing Kwun Tong Line owned by the
<strong>Corporation</strong>, the extension is expected to be invested and built
by the <strong>Corporation</strong>. The estimated project cost of the Kwun Tong
Line Extension is about HK$4.2 billion and funding support of
approximately HK$2.2 billion is required. The <strong>Corporation</strong> has
proposed to adopt the proven “Rail plus Property Model” using the
property development rights of a site at the former Valley Road
Estate site to fill the funding gap.
The <strong>Corporation</strong> will join the HKSAR Government to consult the local
communities and to listen to their views so that the new railway
lines will be built to meet the needs of the communities.
Media enquiries:
Ms Maggie So
Senior Manager – Projects &
Property Communications
Tel: 2993 2166
Mr Lam Chan
Public Relations Manager –
Projects
& Property
Tel: 2993 2929
24-hour media
enquiries
Tel: 2212 2813

- End -
Media enquiries:
Ms Maggie So
Senior Manager – Projects &
Property Communications
Tel: 2993 2166
Mr Lam Chan
Public Relations Manager –
Projects
& Property
Tel: 2993 2929
24-hour media
enquiries
Tel: 2212 2813